Aberdeen Schools
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Aberdeen School District No. 5 -- December 13, 2019
Miller Jazz Band performing for the School Board
New and returning directors sworn in
2019-12-10 School Board Agenda (pdf)
President Sandra Bielski convened the regular meeting of the Aberdeen School District Board of Directors at 5 p.m. Tuesday, December 10, 2019, in the library at Miller Junior High School. Directors present were Jennifer Durney, Bill Dyer, Jessica Jurasin and Suzy Ritter, along with student representative Madi Niemi, Superintendent Alicia Henderson and 23 patrons, staff and students.
The meeting began with the Flag salute.
Minutes, Bills, Trips & Gifts
The Board approved the Consent Agenda, which included:
- The minutes of the regular meeting on November 19, 2019;
- Accounts Payable and financial matters, including:
a. November payroll vouchers totaling $3,662,364.25;
b. General Fund vouchers totaling $587,854.08;
c. ASB Fund vouchers totaling $101,105.47;
d. Capital Projects Fund vouchers totaling $254,465.40, and
e. Private Purpose Trust Fund vouchers totaling $1,078.80. - A gift to the district of a baby grand piano donated by Ann Koski-Smith for use at Aberdeen High School.
Oaths of Office
Newly elected directors Jessica Jurasin and Suzy Ritter and re-elected director Jennifer Durney took their oaths of office.
Election of Officers
The following officers were elected for 2019-2020:
- Sandra Bielski, president;
- Bill Dyer, vice president; and
- Jennifer Durney, WIAA representative.
Comments from Board members
Directors Jennifer Durney, Sandra Bielski, Suzy Ritter and Jessica Jurasin offered comment about how valuable they found the sessions they attended at the annual WSSDA Conference.
Comments from Student Representative
Student Representative Madi Niemi provided the student report. She noted Winter sports have begun, which includes wrestling, basketball, boys swim, and girls bowling; that the cheerleaders have started their Foodball celebrations with the winning grade school classes, that music students are preparing for their upcoming concerts, and that PBIS (Positive Behavior, Interventions and Supports) continues to be a focus area.
Comments from the Audience
Miller Junior High School Principal Lisa Griebel shared information about the impact that 6th Grade is having on the music program.
Following the principal’s presentation, the Miller Jazz Band, under the direction of Nicholas Barene, performed.
Resolution 2019-15 Levy Election
The board adopted Resolution 2019-15 calling for Proposition 1 to be placed before voters on February 11, 2020, to replace the expiring enrichment levy. The resolution replaces an earlier version in order to include the most recent assessed property values. If approved by voters, the levy will be for four years, and will continue the 2020 tax rate of $2.50 per $1,000 of assessed property value while generating up to $5.2 million per year to support local programs and activities not funded by the state.
Superintendent's Report
Superintendent’s Report
- Bond and Levy Update: Superintendent Henderson discussed the work taking place on the proposed bond for a new Stevens Elementary School and renewal of the enrichment levy, both of which go before voters in February.
- Legislative Update: Superintendent Henderson discussed the work taking place on a proposal for the upcoming legislative session to enhance funding for property poor districts like Aberdeen that did not benefit under the new state funding formula. Representatives Brian Blake and Jim Walsh and Senator Dean Takko are introducing legislation.
Teaching and Learning Report
Teaching and Learning Director Traci Sandstrom presented the Teaching and Learning Report for December. Her presentation included discussion about the new science curriculum, a computer science grant for K-3 devices, trainings for PBIS and Behavior/Social-Emotional Learning, supports for the MTSS framework, technology and digital teaching and learning, the Master Schedule Task Force, and the catch-up work being done now that the new Miller 6th Grade Building is open, the new printer system is installed, the new intercom is installed at Miller Junior High and student Chromebooks are distributed.
New Novel for ALS Classes
The board accepted for first reading a recommendation from the Instructional Materials Committee to approve use of the novel A Loss for Words, the Story of Deafness in a Family by Lou Ann Walker and published by Harper & Row for use in American Sign Language classes at Aberdeen High School.
TBIP Plan
The board approved the plans for the 2019-2020 Transitional Bilingual Instruction Program in the district.
Assessment Participation Plans
The board approved the plans from Robert Gray Elementary School and Miller Junior High School describing how each school will achieve 95 percent participation on assessments.
Fiscal Status Report
Executive Director of Business and Operations Elyssa Louderback presented the Fiscal Status Report for November. She reported a negative cash flow of $1,331,680.53, which has resulted in a negative fund balance in the General Fund of -$366,116.13. She explained this is a cash flow issue due to the combined impact of the decreased levy (the levy cliff), changes in the state apportionment schedule and revenue for certain programs that has not yet been received. She added that Aberdeen is one of many districts experiencing this issue. She is working with the county Treasurer’s Office, ESD 113 and OSPI to address the issue. She reported the district still expects to end the year with a fund balance near 5 percent.
Resolution 2019-16 Apportionment
Executive Director of Business and Operations Elyssa Louderback presented a resolution prepared with assistance of OSPI requesting a $700,000 advance on state apportionment funding to address the cash flow issue described in the Fiscal Status Report. The board approved the resolution.
Athletic Director's Report
Athletic Director’s Report
Athletic Director Aaron Roiko presented the 2019 Fall/Winter Athletic Report. The report included information about teams recognized for academic achievement, participation rates at AHS and Miller Junior High School, elementary intramural girls’ basketball, and season outcomes for fall sports.
In addition, he shared a letter from the South Sound Football Officials Association presenting the Aberdeen Bobcat Football Team with the season’s sportsmanship award among 4A/3A/2A schools. The honor comes with two $1,000 scholarships that will be presented at a later date.
Policy 3241 Student Discipline
The board accepted for first reading an update to the student discipline policy.
Policy 3115 Students Experiencing Homelessness
The board accepted for first reading an update to the policy detailing district responsibilities and the rights of students experiencing homelessness.
QIN TANF Agreement
The board approved renewal of the agreement with the Quinault Indian Nation to provide Temporary Assistance to Needy Families in the district who qualify.
Retirement Incentive
The board approved a retirement incentive of $2,000 for certificated teaching staff who notify the district by January 24 of their intent to retire at the end of the school year. Superintendent Henderson explained that advance knowledge is a planning tool that can help the district in budgeting for staffing needs, rather than finding out after a budget is adopted which teachers aren’t returning.
Surplus Equipment
The board declared as surplus certain equipment stored at the Stewart Building, including old wrestling mats and music stands that are no longer used due to age or poor condition.
Personnel Matters
The board approved the Personnel Report.
Next meeting is Tuesday, Jan. 7, at Stevens Elementary School
Bond for new Stevens School set for February ballot
Don't forget to vote in the February 11 special election
Let your name go down in a history brick
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Aberdeen School District No. 5
Email: districtnews@asd5.org
Website: www.asd5.org
Location: 216 North G St.
Phone: (360) 538-2000
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AberdeenSchoolDistrict5/